Have a look at our PowerPoint Introduction and Brochure describing deliverables, differentiators and case studies. Eight case studies can also be reviewed.
A specialist in castor oil wanted to know if it is potentially possible to make sebacic acid from castor oil by a more efficient and safer method, probably using biological methods such as fermentation or enzymes. CPL was aked to determine whether this has been thought of, is feasible, is being or has been worked on, if there is or could be intellectual property etc.
Clearly it would be most advantageous if sebacic acid could be derived from castor oil, but if it were possible from other raw materials, this was worth knowing also.
The second topic was alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a physiological precursor of DHA and EPA, known to be very effective in enhancing a number of aspects of human and animal health. ALA is derived from flax seed via flax seed oil. It had been believed that ALA was less effective at enhancing health than omega fatty acids from fish or algae, but more recent work has been suggesting that ALA itself is quite effective.
For the second part of this study, CPL has obtained and presented an overview of the recent evidence and current market view about ALA and advised in respect of the feasibility and sense of proceeding to a larger study on this topic.
Click to see the contents of the study or look below for an outline.
Contents of the study
Objective and Background
- Sebacic acid
- ALA
Part 1 – Sebacic acid
Method
Principal findings
Conclusions
Recommendations
Introduction
- Value-added products from vegetable oils
- Value added products from castor oil
- Value added products from linseed oil
- Sebacic acid
- Structure and uses
- Synonyms
Contact reports
- 7 reports
Patents
- Bioconversion of ricinolenic acid
- Process for making polycarboxylic acids
- Use of microbes for dicarboxylic acid production
- Process for preparing dodecyl-1,12-bicarboxylic acid from n-tetradecane by microbial synchronous fermentation
- Microbial synthesis of didodecane acid.
- Production of dicarboxylic acid
- Preparation of dicarboxylic acid
- Microbial preparation of long-chain dicarboxylic acid
- Continuous preparation of long-chain dicarboxylic acid
Scientific literature
- Sebacic acid and bioconversion of ricinolenic acid
- Production of conjucated fatty acids by lactic acid bacteria (2005)
- Synthesis of conjugated linoleic acid by bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria (2005)
- Conjugated linoleic acid production from castor oil by Lactobacillus plantarum JCM 1551 (March 2004)
- Use of renewable raw materials for the production of natural aroma compounds (2004)
- CLA production from ricinoleic acid by lactic acid bacteria
- Production of sebacic acid from n-decane by the SDI mutant of Candida tropicalis (1987)
- Bioconversion of sunflower oil, rapeseed oil and ricinoleic acid by Candida tropicalis m25 (Nov. 1998)
News
- Sebacic acid
- Sebacic acid line suspends production
- A dramatic shift for US sebacic acid
- Cambrex’s new sebacic acid plant is experiencing start-up problems
Part 2 – ALA
Objective and background
Method
Principal findings
Conclusions
Recommendations
Contact reports
- 2 reports
Omega-3 biochemical pathway
- Stearidonic acid
- Eicosatetraenoic acid
- Eicosapentaenoic acid
- Docosapentaenoic acid
- Docosahexaenoic acid
Scientific review articles
- Conversion efficiency of ALA to DHA humans
- Differentiation of ALA(plant sources) from DHA + EPA (marine sources) as dietary omega-3 fatty acids for human health
- Flaxseed oil and fish oil – from Barlean’s organic oils
- The need for supplemental omega-3 fatty acids
- What’s the difference between flaxseed and fish oils?
- Must ALA be converted to EPA and DHA to be of value?
- Are flaxseed and fish oils equally safe?
- How well does flaxseed ALA work compared to fish oil EPA and DHA?
- How do flaxseed oil and fish oil compare relative to cost?
- Which one is easier to incorporate into our modern busy lifestyles?
News
- 03-Oct-2008 – Flax and borage oil may boost skin health from within
- 03-Oct-2008 Plant-based omega-3 can carve functional niche
- 30-Sep-2008 – EFSA’s harsh health claim regime
- 17-Sep-2008 – Dietary ALA sufficient to raise omega-3 levels, says study
- 26-Jun-2008 – Omega-3 ALA – overlooked and misunderstood?
- 14-May-2008 – Scientists extend potential of flaxseed gum-starch use
- 24-Apr-2008 – Chinese flax gains international patent, targets foods
- 13-Jun-2007 – FSA gives draft opinion on Croda’s Echium oil
Patents
- Docosahexaenoic acid producing strains of Yarrowia lipolytica